MX2012013030A

MX2012013030A - Portable, compact folding furniture pieces.

Info

Publication number: MX2012013030A
Application number: MX2012013030A
Authority: MX
Inventors: David Randall Knaub; Mehdi Mojtabavi; Sohrab Vossoughi; Ken Dieringer
Original assignee: Aria Entpr Inc
Priority date: 2010-05-18
Filing date: 2011-05-18
Publication date: 2013-03-12
Also published as: US20130214577A1; KR101834468B1; CA2800288C; AU2011256239B2; EP2571397A1; AU2011256239C9; AU2011256239C1; KR20130085366A; CO6670517A2; CN102946761A; JP5763180B2; CA2800288A1; WO2011146554A1; US9084476B2; US9668570B2; AU2011256239A1; BR112012029183A2; US20150320197A1; PL2571397T3; ES2794075T3

Abstract

A portable, compact folding furniture piece (10) constructed as a seat or table is configured for convenient storage. The folding furniture piece comprises an object support assembly (24) that is configured for operative connection to a mounting structure (12) and includes a spring mechanism (40, 42) securing together as a flexible unit a support mount (36), an articulated vertebral column (26), and a support base (38). The spring mechanism exhibits flexibility properties such that the object support assembly assumes at rest an unfolded state and, in response to an externally applied bending force, assumes a folded state. In the unfolded state, the vertebral column is substantially straight to provide a closed support surface (44). In the folded state, the vertebral column is curved to provide a raised, open support surface on which an object can rest. Depending on the embodiment of the furniture piece, the object can be a person or thing.

Description

FOLDING, COMPACT, PORTABLE FURNITURE PIECES Field of the Invention The description refers to pieces of furniture and, in particular, to folding seats and tables each built with an articulated spine that facilitates the storage of the surface of the table or seat, convenient, compact.

Brief Description of the Invention A piece of compact folding furniture, portable, built as a seat or table is configured for convenient storage. The foldable piece of furniture comprises a support assembly for an object configured for operative connection to a mounting structure. The support assembly for an object includes an articulated spine positioned between a support assembly and the support base and a spring mechanism which are secured together as a flexible unit to the support assembly, the spine, and the support base . The spine includes multiple vertebral elements. The spring mechanism exhibits flexibility properties such that the support assembly for an object assumes an unfolded state at rest and, in response to an externally applied folding force, assumes a folded state. In the state REF.236893 unfolded, the spine is substantially straight to provide a closed support surface. In the folded state, the spine is curved to provide an open, raised support surface, on which an object can rest. Depending on the modality of the piece of furniture, the object can be a person or a thing.

The additional aspects and advantages will be apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments, which proceeds with reference to the figures appended.

Brief Description of the Figures Figure 1 and Figure 2 are isometric views of a compact, portable folding seat, shown, respectively, in an unfolded state and a folded state, according to one embodiment.

Figure 3, Figure 4 and Figure 5 are top plan views, in lateral elevation, and in the lower plan, respectively, of the foldable seat in the deployed state shown in Figure 1.

Figure 6 is an exploded view of the folding seat shown in Figure 1.

Figure 7A and Figure 7B show the construction and operation of a seat assembly, respectively, in the deployed state of Figure 1 and in the folded state of Figure 2.

Figure 8A, Figure 8B, Figure 8C show, respectively, views in lateral elevation, upper floor and from one end of a beveled vertebral strip for use in the assembly of the seat.

Figure 9A and Figure 9B show, in their respective folded and unfolded states, the foldable seat installed in a seating arrangement for a stadium or a theater, in which the seats are installed on a stepped floor surface.

Figure 9C shows the folding seat in its unfolded state of Figure 9A and including a mounting element mounted by means of a hinge to the back of the seat.

Figure 10A and Figure 10B are isometric views of the foldable seat of Figures 1 and 2, configured in an alternative embodiment as a stand alone chair shown, respectively, in an unfolded state and a folded state.

Figure 11A and Figure 11B are side elevational views of the stand-alone chair of Figure 10A and Figure 10B, respectively.

Figure 12 is an exploded view of the stand-alone chair of Figures 10A and 10B, showing the modifications of a foam layer of the seat back and a foam layer of the foldable seat seat assembly to accommodate the sets of the seats. legs of the chair to form by this the autonomous chair.

Figure 13 is a perspective view of the front portions of two collapsible wall mounted seats, collaterals, the left side seat shown in a folded state and the right side seat shown in an unfolded state.

Figure 14A and Figure 14B are side elevation views of the foldable seat mounted to the wall of Figure 13 shown, respectively, in its unfolded state and its folded state.

Figure 15 is a perspective view of the front portions of the two collapsible floor mounted seats collaterally, the left side seat shown in a folded state and the right side seat shown in the deployed state.

Figure 16 is a perspective view of the front portions of two collapsible wall mounted tables, collaterals, the left side table shown in the folded state and the right side table shown in an unfolded state.

Figure 17A and Figure 17B are side elevational views of a foldable table mounted to the wall of Figure 16 shown in, its unfolded state and its folded state, respectively.

Figure 18A and Figure 18B and Figure 19A and Figure 19B are pairs of isometric views and from one end showing a first alternative embodiment of a spine, respectively, in a relaxed, vertical configuration, corresponding to an unfolded state of a folding seat, and in a curved configuration corresponding to the folded state of a folding seat.

Figure 20A and Figure 20B are respective isometric and end views showing an articulated, vertebral, interior connection of the first alternative embodiment of the spine.

FIG. 21A and FIG. 2IB and FIG. 22A and FIG. 22B are pairs of fragmentary, enlarged, isometric views of each end, showing in detail the interconnection of the multiple vertebral articulated connections of the first alternative embodiment. of the spine, respectively, in the vertical configuration of Figures 18A and 18B, and in the curved configuration of Figures 19A and 19B.

Figure 23A and Figure 23B and Figure 24A and Figure 24B are pairs of isometric views and from one end showing a second alternative embodiment of a spine, respectively, in a relaxed, vertical configuration, corresponding to a deployed state of a folding seat, and in a curved configuration corresponding to a folded state of a folding seat.

Figure 25A and Figure 25B are respective isometric views, and from one end, showing an inner vertebral articulated connection of the second alternative embodiment of the spine.

Fig. 26A and Fig. 26B and Fig. 27A and Fig. 27B are pairs of respective, fragmentary, enlarged, isometric and end views, showing in detail the interconnection of the multiple vertebral articulated connections of the second alternative embodiment of the spine, respectively, in the vertical configuration of Figures 23A and 23B and in the curved configuration of Figures 24A and 24B.

Detailed description of the invention Figures 1 and 2 are isometric views of a compact folding seat 10, portable, in a preferred embodiment shown, respectively, in an unfolded state and a folded state. Figures 3, 4, and 5 are, respectively, top plan, side elevation, and bottom plan views of the foldable seat 10 in the deployed state shown in Figure 1.

With reference to Figures 1-5, the folding seat 10 comprises a backrest 12 of the seat, generally rectangular, having a support surface 14 of the seat back, a surface of the seat back assembly 16, an upper end 18, and a lower end 20. A first layer or layer of foam 22 for the back of the seat is attached with the material fastener of hooks and rings of Velero ™ fabric or with an adhesive, a, and covering the surface area of the surface of support 14 of the backrest of the seat to provide a backrest 12 of the seat, cushioned. A seat assembly 24 is placed on the foam layer 22 of the seat back and secured to the seat back 12 near its lower end 20. The seat assembly 24 is of a shorter length than that of the seat back 12. The seat assembly 24 includes a spine 26 of nine beveled strips or bevels 28b, longitudinally aligned parallel and spine ribs or ribs 28c of equal lengths placed between a seat assembly 36 and a seat base 38. The bevelled vertebral strips 28b have beveled ends 30b, and the corner vertebral strips 28c have cornered ends a right angles 30c. The spine 26 is formed with a beveled vertebral strip 28b at each end. Between the ends of the spinal column 26 is an alternative sequence of beveled vertebral strips 28b and corner vertebral strips 28c such that each corner vertebral strip 28c is positioned between two beveled vertebral strips 28b.

Figure 6 is an exploded view of the foldable seat 10; Figures 7A and 7B show the construction and operation of the seat assembly 24, respectively, in the unfolded state of Figure 1 and in the folded state of Figure 2; and Figures 8A, 8B, and 8C show several views of the beveled vertebral strip 28b marked with the preferred dimensions. With reference to Figures 1, 2, 6, 7A, 7B, 8A, 8B, and 8C, the first and second elastic bands 40 and 42 spaced apart, together secure, as a flexible unit, a seat assembly 36, the column vertebral 26, and the base 38 of the seat, the last of which has a surface 44 of the seat. A second layer or foam layer 46 for the seat assembly covers the surface area of the seat assembly 24 and forms an interface layer between the seat assembly 24 and the foam layer 22 of the seat back. The foam layer 46 of the seat assembly is attached with an adhesive or with a fastener material of Velero ™ fabric hooks and rings to the base 38 of the seat, and the portion of the foam layer 46 of the seat assembly covering the seat. surface 44 of the seat provides a cushioned seat for an occupant. The seat assembly 24 is secured to the seat back 12 by means of four bolts 50 (only one is shown) passing through the axially aligned holes 52 in the seat assembly 36, the spacer blocks 54 positioned in the rectangular openings aligned 56 in the foam layer 46 of the seat assembly and the foam layer 22 of the seat back (Figure 6), and the seat back 12 in the manner described later with reference to Figure 6.

With particular reference to Figure 6, the folding seat 10 is assembled first by joining the component parts of the seat assembly 24. This is effected by placing the vertebral strips 28b and 28c alternately in an alignment parallel longitudinally with their ends positioned level with one another to define the linear spine 26, the lateral margins discontinuous along their length. Each of the elastic bands 40 and 42 have nine sets of two spaced apart holes 60 that are positioned to receive the screws (Figure 7A and 7B) to hold the vertebral strips 28b and 28c in an alignment configuration described above. Each of the elastic bands 40 and 42 have multiple sets of holes 64 through which the screws 66 pass (Figures 7A and 7B) to secure the ends of the elastic bands 40 and 42 to the mount 36 of the seat and the base 38 of the seat to form the seat assembly 24 as a flexible unit.

The cross-sectional area of each vertebral strip 28b and 28c defines a perimeter of trapezoidal shape having opposite non-parallel sides of equal lengths. Each of the non-parallel sides is inclined at an angle of 85.5 ° 70 (Figure 8C) relative to the base of the trapezoid. The angle of inclination 70 is set in cooperation with a slope angle of 10 ° 72 (Figures 9A and 9B) of the backrest 12 of the seat to establish a substantially horizontal raised seat surface 44 for a seat occupant when the folding seat desirably 10 is in its folded state.

Figures 8A, 8B, and 8C show the bevelled vertebral strip 28b marked with the preferred dimensions (in millimeters) and formed with the bevelled ends 30b. The corner vertebral strips 28c are of the same dimensions as those of the bevelled vertebral strips 28b except that the spline ends 30c form right angles relative to the base of the trapezoid. The alternating sequence of the beveled strips 28 and the corner strips 28c in the spine 26 prevent pinching of the seat occupant's fingers while bending the seat 10 to loosen it to its deployed state.

With particular reference again to Figure 6, four rectangular openings 56 of each of the foam layer 22 of the back of the seat and the foam layer 46 of the seat assembly are arranged in a rectangular configuration to receive the corresponding rectangular spacer blocks 54. of the same height as the combined thicknesses of the foam layer 22 of the seat back and the foam layer 46 of the seat assembly. Four bolts 50 pass through the holes 52 in the seat assembly 36, the spacer blocks 54, and the seat back 12 to complement the folding seat assembly 10. Two rubber legs 74 spaced apart are inserted into the lower end of the seat assembly 36 to prevent excessive wear of the foldable seat 10 when it is dragged across the surface of a floor during transportation to and from storage.

Figures 9A and 9B show, in their respective unfolding and folding states, the foldable seat 10 installed in a seating arrangement for a stadium or a theater in which the seats are installed on a floor, stepped surface 90. One end 92 to make contact with the floor of the folding seat 10 remains on a portion of the floor 94, and the mounting surface 16 of the seat backrest, of the seat back 12, is mounted to a lifting device 96. The skilled person will appreciate that the seat foldable 10 can be installed over staggered seating arrangements, such as, for example, in bleachers structures or on sloped floor surfaces.

With reference to Figures 4, 5, 9A, 9B, and 9C, a mounting element 100 extends at an angle of 10 ° 72 relative to the mounting surface 16 of the seat backrest, to mount the folding seat 10 to the lifting device 96 with seat back 12 inclined at a slope angle of 10 °. The mounting element 100 is preferably placed at an angle 72 of 10 °, fixed. Figure 9C shows a higher cost mounting alternative, in which the mounting element 100 is hingedly mounted to the backrest 12 of the seat to allow the mounting element 100 to swing out from a mounting storage position, leveled, in a recess (not shown) in the mounting surface 16 of the seat backrest to an operative position of an angle of 10 ° 72. The mounting element 100 has an L-shaped groove 102 with its longer segment 104 and its shorter segment 108 oriented, respectively, perpendicular and parallel with respect to the lower end 20 of the seat back 12. The foldable seat 10 can be dropped down towards the floor portion 94 such that the longer segment 104 of the slot 102 receives a mounting screw 108 fixed in the lifting apparatus 96 and then moved horizontally along the shorter segment 106 of the slot 102 for releasably securing the foldable seat 10 in place. Figure 2 shows in the foam layer 22 of the backrest of the seat and the backrest 12 of the seat, an access hole 112 through which a screwdriver can be inserted to rotate the mounting screw 108 which passes through the driver element. assembly 100 and towards the lifting apparatus 96. Figure 5 shows that the longer segment 104 is off-center from, and the distal end of the shorter segment 106 is aligned with, a longitudinal center line 110 of the seat back 12 so that, when the folding seat 10 is fixed in place, the mounting screw 108 is positioned along the center line 110. Figure 4 shows the folding seat 10 with the end 92 which makes contact with the floor inclined at an angle of 10 ° beveled 114. The bevel angle 114 engages with the angle of the slope 10 ° of the backrest 12 of the seat and thereby causes the foldable seat 10, when installed, to remain level on the portion n 94 of the floor. Figure 9B shows the foldable seat 10, when installed and in its folded state, with an elevated seat surface 44, substantially horizontal, on which a seat occupant can sit.

With particular reference to Figure 6, Figures 7A and 7B, and Figures 9A and 9B, if there is no external force that is applied to the base of the seat 38 of the seat assembly 24, the elastic bands 40 and 42 cause the folding seat 10 assumes automatically at rest its deployed state (Figures 7A and 9A), in which the spine 26 is substantially straight. Figure 6 shows small magnets 116 fixed in the recesses 118 in the surface 44 of the seat and in the support surface 14 of the backrest of the seat of the base 38 of the seat and the backrest 12 of the seat, respectively. The magnets 116 ensure that the seat assembly 24 snaps and remains closed, ie, the seat assembly 36 and the base 38 of the seat rest substantially in the same plane, when the collapsible seat 10 is unoccupied. Wherever a seat occupant pulls the base 38 of the seat away from the back 12 of the seat so that it has a substantially horizontal, raised sitting surface, the folding seat 10 assumes its folded state (Figures 7B and 9B), in the which spine 26 is curved. The opening of the foldable seat 10 applies to the spinal column 26 a bending force that closes the spaces between the adjacent non-parallel sides of the vertebral strips 28b and 28c and thereby presses the adjacent vertebral strips 28b and 28c together to form a Curved spine 26. The weight of an occupant sitting on the base of the foam-cushioned seat 38 maintains the collapsed state of the foldable seat 10 when it supports the occupant of the seat.

Preferred materials used in the construction of the foldable seat 10 include 13-fold Baltic birch plywood for the seat back 12, the vertebral strips 28b and 28c, the seat assembly 36, and the seat assembly 38; a steel spring for the elastic bands 40 and 42; and a urethane foam material for the foam layer 22 of the seat back and a foam layer 46 of the seat assembly.

Figures 10A and 10B are isometric views of the foldable seat 10, configured in an alternative embodiment as a stand-alone chair 120 shown, respectively, in an unfolded state and in a folded state. Figures 11A and 11B are side elevational views of the autonomous chair 120, respectively, in its deployed state and its folded state. Figure 12 is an exploded view of the autonomous chair 120, showing the addition of two sets of legs 122 for the chair a, and modifications of the foam layer 22 of the seat back and the foam layer 46 of the assembly of the seat, of the folding seat 10 to accommodate the leg assemblies 122 of the chair and thereby form the autonomous chair 120.

With reference to Figures 10A, 10B, 11A, 11B, and 12, the component parts of the folding seat 10 and the autonomous chair 120 are the same, except for the replacement of the leg assemblies 122 of the chair by spacer blocks 54 and the replacement of two slots 124 for different pairs of rectangular openings 56. With particular reference to Figure 12, each of the sets of legs 122 of the chair have a vertical portion 130 extending from and which is positioned at an angle 132 of 80 ° relative to the support portion 134 of the floor. The vertical portion 130 has the same height and width as the height and width of the spacer blocks 54 and includes two holes 52 positioned so that the bolts 50 pass through them during the assembly of the chair. The rectangular openings 56 in the foam layer 22 of the seat back and the foam layer 46 of the seat assembly are replaced by the grooves 124 which extend towards the foam layers 22 and 46 from their respective lower ends and cover a distance equal to the length of the vertical portions 130. The vertical portions 130 fit into the slot 124, and the pins 150 that pass through the holes 52 secure the leg assemblies 122 of the chair in place to form the chair autonomous 120.

Figure 13 is a perspective view of the front portions of two folding seats 150, mounted to the wall, collateral, one of which (the left side) shown in a folded state and the other of which (right side) shown in an unfolded state. Figures 14A and 14B are side elevational views of the foldable seat 150 mounted on the wall, respectively, in its deployed state and its folded state. With reference to Figures 13, 14A and 14B, the component parts of the foldable seat 10 and of the foldable seat 150 mounted to the wall are the same, except for the replacement of a surface 152 of the inclined wall as a backrest of the common seat of one or a row of multiple folding seats for a backrest 12 of a separate seat. The surface 52 of the wall is inclined at an angle of 80 ° 154 relative to a floor 156. The folding seat 150 mounted to the wall is useful for installation in public transport vehicles (for example, carriages of underground transport) or any other application in which the storage of flat, compact seats could be beneficial. When the folding seat 150 mounted to the wall is installed, the foam layer 22 of the seat back rests against the surface 152 of the "I" shaped wall. The bolts 50 pass through the holes 52 drilled in different locations on the surface 152 of the wall, as shown in Figure 13.

Figure 15 is a perspective view of the front portions of two collapsible, floor mounted, collateral seats 10, one of which (left side) shown in a folded state and the other of which (right side) shown in FIG. an unfolded state. With reference to Figure 15, the folding seats 10 are inclined at an angle 72 of the 10 ° slope in a manner similar to that shown in Figures 9A and 9B and secured to an inverted U-shaped railing 160 which is fixed to a floor 162. Each of the seats 10 mounted on the floor can be secured to the rail 160 by the passage of the mounting screw 108 through the mounting element 100 and a threaded hole (not shown) provided in the horizontal section of the handrail 160.

Figure 16 is a perspective view of the front portions of two collapsible tables 170 mounted to the wall, collateral, one of which (left side) shown in a folded state and the other of which (right side) shown in the state unfolded Figures 17A and 17B are side elevational views of a folding table 170 mounted to the wall, respectively, in its unfolded state and its folded state. With reference to Figures 16, 17A, and 17B, the component parts of the foldable seat 150 mounted to the wall and the foldable table 170 mounted to the wall, are the same, except for the replacement of a non-cushioned, flexible table (it is say, the hard top of the table) of the surface layer 46 'by the foam layer 46 of the seat assembly and a surface 172 of the wall as a mounting surface of the folding table 170 for a backrest 12 of the separate seat and its foam layer 22 of the corresponding seat back. The surface of the wall 172 is oriented at an angle of 90 ° relative to the floor 156, in a conventional arrangement. The folding table 170 mounted to the wall is useful for the installation of an office furniture system (for example, a dividing wall of a cubicle of a workspace) or any other application in which a storage of the flat table, compact, it could be beneficial. When the folding table 170 mounted to the wall is installed, the surface layer 46 'of the table rests against the surface 172 of the wall. The bolts 50 pass through holes 52 drilled at predetermined locations on the surface 172 of the wall, as shown in Figure 16. Folding table 170 mounted to the wall can be constructed to remain in its folded state while does not support an object or supports a light weight object by the use of a base 38 of a heavy or heavy weight table 38 or by the selection of the elastic bands 40 and 42 of a material having a sufficiently low elastic constant. The magnets 116 could be used to keep the folding table 170 mounted to the wall in the deployed state.

Figures 18A and 18B and Figures 19A and 19B are pairs of isometric views and from one end of a spine 190, which constitutes a first alternative embodiment of a vertebral column assembled with individual vertebral articulated connections, interconnected by sections of the bordering beam the expanding foam strips to form an integral, distributed spring mechanism. Figures 18A and 18B show the spine 190 in a relaxed, vertical configuration, and Figures 19A and 19B show the spine 190 in a curved configuration assumed in response to an externally applied bending force. With reference to Figures 18A, 18B, 19A and 19B, the spine 190 includes nine vertebral articulated connections aligned in parallel, seven of which are interior vertebral articulated connections 192 nominally of the same size and shape and two of which are articulated connections. spinal coupling ends 194 and 196. The spinal jointed coupling connections at the ends 194 and 106 are of the same size and shape as the interior vertebral articulated connections 192, except for the formation of the U-shaped free ends 198 and 200 respectively, sized to receive some different from the seat assembly 36 and from the base 38 of the seat (or table). Each inner vertebral articulated connection 192 has on the opposite sides and extending along its length, two sets of complementary structures configured to interfit with the corresponding complementary structures of the following adjacent vertebral articulated connections 192. The articulated vertebral coupling connections in the ends 194 and 196 have on their opposite sides their respective free end structures 198 and 200, configured to interfit with the corresponding complementary structures of the following adjacent inner vertebral articulated connections 192. The complete assembly of the nine vertebral articulated connections forms the connections articulated joints articulated joint.

Figures 20A and 20B are isometric and one end views, respectively, of an inner vertebral articulated connection 192, which is of an I-beam shape with different structural features at its four lateral ends. The inner spinal articulated connection 192 has on a side element 204 of the seat a first set of interfitting structures which include a sleeve 206 articulated at an open end and a pivot 208 and on a bottom side element 210 a second set of structures of interfixing including a hooked end 212 and a rolled edge 214. The beam 216 interconnects the side element 204 of the seat and the bottom side element 210. Figures 18A and 18B show the articulated spinal connection of the ends coupling 194 , on its seat-side element 204, the articulation sleeve 206 at the open end of the first assembly and, on its bottom-side element 210, the hook 212 of the second assembly. Figures 18A and 18B also show the articulated spinal coupling connection at one end 196, on its side element 204 of the seat, the pivot 208 of the first set and, on its bottom side element 210, the rolled edge 204 of the second set . The vertebral articulated connections 192, 194, and 196 are preferably made of extruded aluminum.

Figures 21A and 21B and Figures 22A and 22B are fragmentary, enlarged, isometric, and one-sided pairs of ends, showing in detail the interconnection of multiple vertebral articulated connections to form the spine 190 of the vertebral articulated connections 192 and 196 adjacent. Each pair of adjacent vertebral articulated connections are oscillatingly connected by the coupling of the pivot 208 in the articulated sleeve 202 and by the compression of the wound edge 214 against the engaged end 212 by an expansion foam or elastomeric strip 220 placed between and contacting the the hooked end 212 and the beam 216. The elastomeric strip 220 is preferably made of polyurethane foam of a hardness measured by durometer, appropriate, and is of a rectangular cross-sectional shape when at rest, i.e., prior to insertion between the engaged end 212 and the beam 216 of the adjacent vertebral articulated connections. The articulated sleeves 206 and the pivots 208 placed in alternate succession and each adjacent articulated sleeve 206 and the pivot 208 connected together constitute articulated articulation structures of the spine 190 which establish their curvature. Figures 21A and 21B show the spine 190 in a vertical configuration corresponding to the unfolded state of the foldable seat 10, and Figures 22A and 22B show the spine 190 in a curved configuration corresponding to the folded state of the foldable seat 10.

Figures 21B and 22B show the elastomeric strips 220 exhibiting deformed concave surfaces 222 that function as support surfaces against which the hook ends 212 rest. The concave surfaces 222 change shape in response to the changing compressive forces imparted by the ends 212 of the hooks to allow them to remain in place while meeting the different amounts of curvature of the spine 190 when folded between the deployed state. and the folded state of the foldable seat 10. The elastomeric strips 220 push the spine 190 to its vertical configuration by the inherent restoring forces of the elastomeric strips 220 that push them until they return to a nominal rectangular shape in the absence of forces compressors applied externally during the deployment of the foldable seat 10. If the spine 190 is used in the construction of the table 170 mounted to the wall, the elastomeric strips 220 can be formed of a softer material (ie, of a lower hardness measured by durometer) to reduce its resistance to deformation and therefore causing table 170 mounted to the wall to remain in the folded state when no object remains on the surface of the table.

Figure 21B shows the dimensions of the spinal articulated connection and the spacing distances of the adjacent vertebral articulated connections that establish for the spinal column 190 the progressive, increasing angular displacements of the interconnected pivots 208 within their associated articulated sleeves 206 to achieve the vertical configuration shown in Figure 18B (the unfolded state of the foldable seat 10) and the curved configuration of Figure 19B (folded state of the foldable seat 10). With reference to Figure 21B, the hooked end 212 and the rolled edge 214 interfined in the vertical configuration are separated by a distance 224 of 2.59 mm. A center-to-center distance 226 of the open-ended articulated sleeve 206 and the pivot 208 of the first set of interlocking structures on the bottom-side member 210 of each inner vertebral articulated connection 192 is 19.7 mm. The width of the spine 190 is a distance of 228 and 19.7 mm between the external surfaces of the seat-side element 204 and the bottom-side element 210 of each of the vertebral articulated connections 192, 194, and 196. Figure 22B shows the complete closure of the separation distance 224 and the resulting contact between the interlocked hooked end 212 and the rolled edge 214 in the collapsed state of the foldable seat 10.

Figures 23A and 23B and Figures 24A and 24B are pairs of isometric views and from one end of a spine 190 ', which constitutes a second alternative embodiment of an assembled spine with individual vertebral articulated connections interconnected by sections of bordering stringers Expandable foam strips to form an elastic mechanism integrally distributed. The component parts of the spine 190 and the spine 190 'are the same, except for a modification of one of the first set of interlocking structures that decouples them and the replacement of a larger rectangular elastomeric strip 220' that fits between the stringers 216 of the adjacent vertebral articulated connections. The views of the spine 190 and its components shown in Figures 18A and 18B. Figures 19A and 19B, Figures 20A and 20B, Figures 21A and 21B, and Figures 22A and 22B correspond to the views of the spine 190 'and its components shown in Figures 23A and 23B, Figures 24A and 24B, Figs. 25A and 25B, Figs. 26A and 26B, and Figs. 27A and 27B, respectively. The components and similar structural characteristics are identified by common reference numbers, and the corresponding modified components and characteristics are identified by identical reference numbers followed by apostrophes.

The modification of the first set of interfiber structures encompasses the replacement of the wound edges 212 'of the vertebral articulated connections 192' and 194 for the hooked ends 212 of the vertebral articulated connections 192 and 194. The replacement of the wound edge 212 'in each spinal articulated connection 192 'and 194' leads to decoupling of the adjacent rolled edges 212 'and 214 of the spine 190', as shown in Figure 23B. The rectangular elastomeric strip 220 'is dimensioned to form a snap fit between the stringers 216 of adjacent ones of the vertebral articulated connections 192', 1941, and 196 ', as shown in Figures 23B and 26B. Figures 24B and 27B show that the elastomeric strip 220 'undergoes compression on all sides in response to the changing compressive forces imparted by the different amounts of curvature of the spine 190 when it bends in the unfolded and folded states of the seat folding 10 Figure 26B shows the dimensions of the vertebral articulated connection and the spacing distances of the adjacent vertebral articulated connections that are established for the spine 190 'and the angular displacements of progressive increase of the interconnected pivots 208 within their associated articulated sleeves 206 to achieve the vertical configuration shown in Figure 23B (the unfolded state of the foldable seat 10), and the curved configuration of Figure 24B (the folded state of the foldable seat 10). With reference to Figure 26B, the adjacent rolled edges 212 'and 214 in the vertical configuration are separated by a distance 224' of 2.59 mm. A center-to-center distance 226 of the open-ended articulated sleeve 26 and the pivot 208 of the first set of interlocking structures on the bottom-side member 210 of each inner vertebral articulated connection 192 is 19.7 mm. The width of the spine 190 'is a distance 228 of 19.7 mm between the external surfaces of the side element 204 of the seat and the bottom side element 210 of each of the vertebral articulated connections 192', 194 ', and 196 ' Figure 27B shows the complete closure 'of the separation distance 224' and the resulting contact between the adjacent rolled edges 212 'and 214 in the collapsed state of the foldable seat 10. Figures 24B and 27B show the convergence of the adjacent rolled-up edges 212 'and 214 of the spine 190' folded in the folded state of the foldable seat 10.

The articulated vertebral coupling connections at the ends 194 and 196 at the opposite ends of the spine 190 and the articulated vertebral connections 194 'and 196' at the ends, at the opposite ends of the spine 190 ', each receive fasteners (not shown) for securing one of the articulated vertebral coupling connections at the ends to the seat assembly 36 and an opposite one of the articulated vertebral coupling connections at the ends to the base 38 of the seat to form the complete seat assemblies 2 .

It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that many changes can be made to the details of the embodiments described above without departing from the underlying principles of the invention. For example, the replacement of a single wide elastic band by the elastic bands 40 and 42 may be acceptable in certain configurations of the foldable seat 10. Therefore, the scope of the present invention will be determined only by the following claims.

It is noted that in relation to this date, the best method known to the applicant to carry out the aforementioned invention, is that which is clear from the present description of the invention.

Claims

CLAIMS Having described the invention as above, the content of the following claims is claimed as property:

1. A piece of foldable, compact, portable furniture, configured for convenient storage, characterized in that it comprises: a support assembly for an object configured for operative connection to a mounting structure, the support assembly for an object includes an articulated spine positioned between a support assembly and a support base and a spring mechanism which together assures as a flexible unit supporting mount, spine, and support base; Y the spine includes multiple vertebral elements, and the spring mechanism exhibits flexibility properties such that the support assembly for an object assumes at rest an unfolded state in which the spine is substantially straight to provide a supporting surface closed and, in response to an externally applied folding force, assumes a folded state in which the spine is curved to provide an open, raised support surface, upon which an object can rest.

2. The collapsible furniture part according to claim 1, characterized in that the support base has a supporting base surface, and further comprising a non-cushioned surface layer placed on the surface of the support base to provide a hard top part of the base. a table for the support surface.

3. The foldable furniture piece according to claim 1, characterized in that the spring mechanism comprises an elastic band.

4. The foldable furniture piece according to claim 3, characterized in that the elastic band comprises a non-extensible flat spring.

5. The foldable piece of furniture according to claim 3, characterized in that the elastic band constitutes a first elastic band, and in addition it comprises a second elastic band that exhibits the same elastic properties as those of the first elastic band and that cooperates with the first elastic band. elastic band to jointly secure as a flexible unit the support assembly, the spine, and the support base.

6. The piece of foldable furniture according to claim 1, characterized in that the multiple vertebral elements of the articulated spine includes spinal articulated connections interconnected by sections of beams that confine the elastic deformable elements to form an integral distributed spring mechanism.

7. The foldable furniture piece according to claim 6, characterized in that the elastic deformable elements include the elastomeric material.

8. The foldable piece of furniture according to claim 1, characterized in that the support assembly for the object, the support assembly, the support base, the support surface, and the mounting structure constitute, respectively, an assembly of the seat, a seat mount, a seat base, a seating surface, and a seat backrest and thus forms a folding seat, and in which the seat backrest has a seat backrest support surface, and in addition comprising a first foam layer positioned between the support surface of the seat back and the seat assembly to provide cushioning for the seat back.

9. The foldable piece of furniture according to claim 8, characterized in that the base of the seat has a base surface of the seat, and in addition it comprises a second layer of foam placed on the base surface of the seat to provide the cushion for the seating surface. .

10. The foldable piece of furniture in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that the support assembly for the object, the support assembly, the support base, the support surface, and the mounting structure constitute, respectively, a seat assembly, a seat assembly, a seat base, a seat surface, and a backrest of the seat and thus forms a folding seat, and in which the backrest of the seat has a support surface of the seatback, and in addition it comprises a mounting element that can be coupled with a Support to secure the backrest of the seat in a stationary location.

11. The folding furniture part according to claim 10, characterized in that the mounting element and the support cooperate to provide an inclination angle for the backrest of the seat.

12. The piece of folding furniture according to claim 1, characterized in that the support assembly for the object, the support assembly, the support base, the support surface, and the mounting structure constitute, respectively, a seat assembly , a seat assembly, a seat base, a seating surface, and a seat backrest and thus forms a folding seat, and further comprises sets of chair legs operatively connected to the seat assembly and backrest of the seat for form an autonomous chair.